Two teenage friends went hiking
Along a familiar trail
In Northern Indiana.
The ‘plot’ would don a veil.

For the girls did not show up
At the appointed spot,
Reuniting with the kin
Said to have dropped them off.

So it became obvious
That something went awry.
And next came the somber news
That’ll make a heart cry.

Investigators sought help
To find the perpetrator
As the blood of those two girls
Pled to the Creator.

Whodunit? For now remains
An unsolved mystery.
But time, and chance, and purpose
Shall claim the victory.

The girls from the hiking trail—
Their story must unfold;
Some day in vindication
The bare truth shall be told.

I’d cast some bread upon the waters
More than a decade or so.
And now it has returned to me
From many a year ago.

From many a mile it came floating
Upon the peaceful waters—
At the time I needed it most.
(In chaos, life finds order.)

So ‘cast your bread upon the waters’
If you would so dare.
Somehow it will come back to you—
Some time. Some place. Somewhere.

Be it time, or talent, or finance—
Whatever you’re able to give—
Cast your bread upon the waters,
And trust God as you live.
(Revised 2018.)

Every day is the continuum of life
And what it has begun
Of love, joy, and laughter,
Heartache, struggle and pain.

It continues…
Babes are born.
Youth grows old.
And the aged passes on.

The sun rises and sets.
We sleep, labor and play
Continuously.

The continuum.
Life is an unending cycle;
It never quits.

Two thousand years ago
There stood a place in time;
Unfading are the memories.
A never ending chime
Whose sound reached everywhere
In earth and sky and sea.
And channeling through the ages
Did make its way to me.

Mother. Daughter.  Sister.  Wife.
Women make a difference in life.
Their person is defendable.
Their role is indispensable.

Women are irreplaceable;
Their MO is nontraceable.
Smart and intelligent are they—
One of a kind in every way.

Woman prefer their own style,
Specially walking down the aisle.
And donning cotton, silk or lace—
She is found in every place.
(Revised 2/2018.)

Amid nature’s finest things
That make the taste buds sing,
Are summer-fresh cherries.
Deliciously mouth-watering.

Ruefully, as summer wanes,
Cherries go out of season.
But upon their due return,
I’m cheery for a reason.

The most delightful of fruits—
In my HMO.
Perhaps for they’re exquisiteness,
Or that I love them so.

The cherry, a gift from God,
Spruces the daily diet.
It grows on trees and tastes so good.
The perfect dessert.  Try it.
(Revised 2/2018.)

During element’ry school
Lunchtime was a drag
For the bologna sandwich
In my little brown lunch bag.

My favorite? The spice ham
I loved on grilled cheese.
Made bologna mediocre…
A cold cut for the breeze.

Now, turkey’s my favorite
Amongst the cold cuts.
It is healthy and tasteful—
No ifs, ands or buts.

Cold cuts, an old sidekick
Are convenient—take your pick.
(Revised 2/2018.)